Comedy could boost public engagement in climate change

Boykoff & Osnes paper highlighted on Colorado Public Radio

Curbing the effects of human-caused climate change is one of the most difficult challenges of the 21st century. A new University of Colorado Boulder study says comedy could boost public engagement and help create solutions. CPR’s Grace Hood explains.

A study in Boulder tracked audience responses to 2 student-led improv events. Surveys showed the audience was more open to things like problem solving and engagement on climate change after the events. Lead author Max Boykoff says it shows comedy could be a novel approach to engage audiences on complex.

“Comedians have been really helpful in getting us into those spaces and drawing attention to pretty pertinent and important issues in society including climate change.”

Boykoff is writing a book on creative climate change communication. The article appeared in Political Geography.